TSSAA to add 12 inductees to Hall of Fame

The TSSAA announced Tuesday that 12 people have been selected for induction into the organization’s Hall of Fame.

The 2011 class includes long-time TSSAA Executive Director Ronnie Carter, who retired last year after serving 25 in the post, along with long-time contributors Jean Griffith (wife of former Overton Coach and ’01 inductee Tommy Griffith) and Larry Taft, both of Nashville.

Ceremonies will be held April 9 at Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro.

Jean Griffith has worked numerous TSSAA events, which include golf, track and medal presentations. Taft was a long-time preps reporter The Tennessean, where he currently serves as sports editor. He also served as TSSAA media relations director for 16 months.

Also named for induction: Robert (Bud) Raikes, who served as Smyrna High football and basketball coach before becoming principal at Smyrna for the past 37 years; O’Neal Hanley, long-time Jackson North Side girls basketball and football coach; Tommy Layne, long-time Whitwell basketball and football coach; J.C. Campbell, who served 41 years as football coach at Hampton; Johnny Morgan, teacher and coach for 34 years at McMinn Central; Gary Rankin, whose football teams have won nine state titles (four at Riverdale, five at Alcoa); the late Jake Rudolph, who coached football at MUS for 39 years; Don Lady, who was baseball umpire for 40 years; and Don Sutton, an official in baseball, basketball, football and volleyball for more than 30 years.